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A method for measuring the spatial variation of the macroscopic poling state of a piezoelectric material using an ultrasonic transducer is described. The relatively simple method clearly indicates the distribution of poling within the material, demonstrated by the testing of a collection of partially poled lead zirconate titanate samples. © 2001 American Institute of Physics.

Audrey White,1 Elizabeth Buschur,2 Cara Harris,2 Michael L Pennell,3 Adam Soliman,2 Kathleen Wyne,2 Kathleen M Dungan2 1Department of Internal Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; 2Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43220, USA; 3The Ohio State University College of Public Health, Division of Biostatistics, Columbus, OH, 43210, USACorrespondence: Kathleen M Dungan, The Ohio State University, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, 5th Floor McCampbell Hall, 1581 Dodd Drive, Columbus, OH, 43210-1296, USA, Email kathleen.dungan@osumc.eduObjective: To evaluate the relationship between health literacy, social support, and self-efficacy as predictors of change in A1c and readmission among hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).Methods: This is a secondary analysis of patients with T2D (A1c > 8.5%) enrolled in a randomized trial in which health literacy (Newest Vital Sign), social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support), and empowerment (Diabetes Empowerment Scale-Short Form) was assessed at baseline. Multivariable models evaluated whether these concepts were associated with A1c reduction at 12 weeks (absolute change, % with > 1% reduction, % reaching individualized target) and readmission (14 and 30 days).Results: A1c (N=108) decreased > 1% in 60%, while individualized A1c target was achieved in 31%. After adjustment for baseline A1c and potential confounders, health literacy was associated with significant reduction in A1c (Estimate − 0.21, 95% CI − 0.40, − 0.01, p=0.041) and > 1% decrease in A1c (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.08, 1.73, p=0.009). However, higher social support was associated with greater adjusted odds of reaching the individualized A1c target (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.04, 2.55, p=0.32). Both higher empowerment (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.08, 0.64, p=0.005) and social support (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.36, 0.91, p=0.018) were associated with fewer readmissions by 14 days, but not 30 days.Conclusion: The study indicates that health literacy and social support may be important predictors of A1c reduction post-discharge among hospitalized patients with T2D. Social support and diabetes self-management skills should be addressed and early follow-up may be critical for avoiding readmissions.Clinical Trial: NCT03455985.Keywords: type 2 diabetes, hospital discharge, basal insulin, A1c, readmission, social support, self-efficacy, literacy

OBJECTIVE: To describe how Ohio Appalachian women are over- or under-estimating risk for cervical cancer by comparing an objective measure of cervical cancer risk to subjective interpretations of risk. Methods: A cervical cancer risk index was computed for 530 female participants recruited from clinics in Ohio Appalachia (2006-2008). Risk factors for cervical cancer, including human papillomavirus infection, number of sexual partners, parity, age at first intercourse, age at first pregnancy, oral contraceptive use and cigarette smoking were used to create a cervical cancer risk index. This index was used to categorize participants into low, average or high risk for cervical cancer. Subjective risk was assessed by asking women to indicate whether they believe their risk of cervical cancer to be below, about average, or higher than other women. Objective risk categories were compared to subjective risk to determine if women were accurately perceiving risk, or over- or under-estimating risk. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to determine correlates of risk perception accuracy. The outcome was a categorical variable consisting of over-estimating risk, underestimating risk and accurate risk perception, with accurate risk perception serving as the reference level in the model. Results: Out of 530 women, 33.6% (n = 178) over-estimated risk and 24.9% (n = 132) under-estimated risk. Women with household incomes of <$25 k were more likely to under-estimate cervical cancer risk, as opposed to being accurate in their risk perception, than women in households earning over $50 k [OR = 2.06, 95% CI (1.04-4.07)] as were women with less than a high-school education [OR = 2.52, 95% CI (1.06-5.96)] compared to women with a college education. Also, women who reported recent alcohol use were more likely to under-estimate risk [OR = 1.94, 95% CI (1.18-3.19)] compared to women with no self-reported recent alcohol use. No variables were found to be associated with risk over-estimation. Conclusions: Many women in Ohio Appalachia do not accurately perceive their cervical cancer risk. Low income and education are associated with under-estimating risk. Future studies should determine if risk misperceptions are associated with cervical cancer screening and other preventive behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background We have previously demonstrated that both canine and human OSA cell lines, as well as 8 fresh canine OSA tumor samples, exhibit constitutive phosphorylation of STAT3, and that this correlates with enhanced expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2). While multiple signal transduction pathways can result in phosphorylation of STAT3, stimulation of the cytokine receptor gp130 through either IL-6 or Oncostatin M (OSM) is the most common mechanism through which STAT3 is activated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of IL-6 and OSM stimulation on both canine and human OSA cell lines to begin to determine the role of these cytokines in the biology of OSA. Methods RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to interrogate the consequences of OSM and IL-6 stimulation of OSA cell lines. OSA cells were stimulated with OSM and/or hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and the effects on MMP2 activity (gel zymography), proliferation (CyQUANT), invasion (Matrigel transwell assay), and VEGF production (Western blotting, ELISA) were assessed. The small molecule STAT3 inhibitor LLL3 was used to investigate the impact of STAT3 inhibition following OSM stimulation of OSA cells. Results Our data demonstrate that the OSM receptor (OSMR), but not IL-6 or its receptor, is expressed by all human and canine OSA cell lines and canine OSA tumor samples; additionally, OSM expression was noted in all tumor samples. Treatment of OSA cell lines with OSM induced phosphorylation of STAT3, Src, and JAK2. OSM stimulation also resulted in a dose dependent increase in MMP2 activity and VEGF expression that was markedly reduced following treatment with the small molecule STAT3 inhibitor LLL3. Lastly, OSM stimulation of OSA cell lines enhanced invasion through Matrigel, particularly in the presence of rhHGF. In contrast, both OSM and HGF stimulation of OSA cell lines did not alter their proliferative capacity. Conclusions These data indicate OSM stimulation of human and canine OSA cells induces STAT3 activation, thereby enhancing the expression/activation of MMP2 and VEGF, ultimately promoting invasive behavior and tumor angiogenesis. As such, OSM and its receptor may represent a novel target for therapeutic intervention in OSA.